Ask a Priest

5,442 Responses

trueabbynormal, on January 15, 2015 at 2:56 am said:

It’s not myself I feel sorry for it my daughter’s who can feel my pain even across the ocean, its for my family who I punished for my pain I feel sorry for every person in the world who meets me and has to see my pain, I don’t feel sorry for myself I’m angry at myself for hurting so many and mostly not even with my words or actions but by them seeing me slowly die and suffer when we have lost so many in our family this way, each day I live is on other day they hurt

FATHER JOE: Are you a Catholic? Every church and household comes adorned with a naked scourged man nailed to a cross. Maybe you and others need to reflect more upon the suffering of Christ and less upon their own pain? Catholicism sees a redemptive value in the Cross and in our participation in the Passion. Your family needs to see this. You need to see this.
Kai, on January 15, 2015 at 1:48 am said:

Father,
My ex-wife is discussing the possibility of sending our 11 year old to Awana’s on fort leavenworth. I have done some research on the group and while my ex-wife claims they are a non-denominational all recreation group, based on their website I disagree. I plan on speaking to the pastor on post to get his view but I am curious in your thoughts.

FATHER JOE:

Catholicism would disagree with them on all the pertinent doctrinal points. They do not regard Catholics as “saved.” Most if not all so-called “non-denominational” churches are PROTESTANT churches. The label is a deception. Awana is an evangelical Protestant movement. Looking at their website, Catholicism would diverge on the following:

Catholicism would also teach that the Bible is divinely inspired but when it comes to inerrancy, such is in regard to faith and the interpretation given by the Magisterium. There is also the second tier of revelation: sacred Tradition.

Catholicism would not deny the possibility of evolution as long as intelligent design is acknowledged.

Catholicism teaches that there will be a Second Coming, but not a millennial kingdom. Christ is the invisible head of the Church. The Pope is the visible head of the Church.

Catholicism teaches that the Holy Spirit has an impact, not just upon individual believers but gives efficacy to the sacraments and protects the teaching Church with the charism of infallibility.

Catholicism does not teach that man is morally corrupt. Rather, we teach that what God creates is good.

Rather, we speak about original sin and how baptism and faith brings about regeneration.

Catholicism does not teach blessed assurance or that one is saved one-and-for-all by a personal faith in Christ. Catholicism teaches that there must be both a personal and communal faith. Faith is defined in terms of loving obedience. Faith can sour and saving grace can be forfeited.

Catholicism teaches that there is a universal Church. This is in stark contradiction to the assertion that local churches are independent. There is one Church, not many.

Catholicism believes and practices seven sacraments. The group you mention only holds for two ordinances and says they are not essential. This bankrupts baptism and out rightly denies the Eucharist.

Catholicism also believes in judgment, but there are two particular and last (final). Between the two some souls will suffer purgation.

You are right, it is Protestant and will undermine the Catholic faith. I would regard it as dangerous. As a pastor, I would urge parishioners to steer clear of them. It is not neutral… but opposes Catholicism from beginning to end.
trueabbynormal, on January 15, 2015 at 12:35 am said:

My faith in God is strong, but my faith in man is gone

FATHER JOE: Your previous words would say this is not so… faith in God would not have us despair or throw our life away, even a life that is touched by fear and suffering. Read the previous responses.
trueabbynormal, on January 14, 2015 at 7:57 am said:

Why? That’s all I want to know is why me? Do you still go to Hell for suicide if you have been baptized

FATHER JOE: Despair begins the building of our hells here on earth. Fight for your life. Seek good medical advice and help and then place it all in God’s hands. Find hope in the Lord. Without hope, there is only hell.
trueabbynormal, on January 14, 2015 at 7:20 am said:

Crist died for a reason, I will die for no reason and my death means nothing to anyone. I am not Christ I am a sinner and and a worthless person. My death only benefits the people I cause pain for being alive

FATHER JOE: I have cared for people in nursing homes and in institutions for those who are mentally challenged. There are no worthless people. Every person is a unique and wondrous creation, even if they suffer much or are brushed aside by the world. My faith says that everyone has an incommensurate value. You mattered so much that Jesus died for YOU by name. That is how much you matter. You can take your struggle and make it a prayer of reparation for sinners. Nothing is wasted by God. We will all know suffering. We will all know death. It comes for some early on and for others much later… but it comes. You are not the only one. But feeling sorry for ourselves helps no one, especially ourselves. Find courage in your pain. Find strength in your tears. Many prayers!
trueabbynormal, on January 14, 2015 at 7:07 am said:

I’m a horrible person and have caused so much pain, the funny thing is I asked God for this, I asked to help me with my mean mouth and two weeks latter I was paralyzed, when I was to die I asked to live for my daughter’s. I’ve asked to much of God and can ask no more, I deserve what’s happening to me

FATHER JOE: God does not seek to curse us. The fact is we live in a broken world and we are part of it. I offer my aches and pains for the salvation of souls. We need to join our crosses to the Cross of Christ. It is in Jesus that we find solace and redemption. Many prayers!
trueabbynormal, on January 14, 2015 at 6:58 am said:

I didn’t figure I’d get an answer its ok no one cares about me anyway, I’ve decided to not treat my illness and let myself die, I’ve chosen to go into solitude for this, I can not ffight tthis, and I don’t want to try

FATHER JOE: I answered your post. Scroll through and you will see. Find solidarity with Christ and his Cross. Don’t give up.
Victor, on January 14, 2015 at 3:10 am said:

Hi,

I was on a website, and my mom asked what are you doing, I then said I was doing something else and went to that website/google it. Is this bad?

Thanks!!

FATHER JOE: We should be honest with our mothers.
Abby Normal, on January 14, 2015 at 12:02 am said:

My question is: if I know I am ill and will die without treatment, does God see it as suicide if I do nothing and let myself die? Suicide is not an option for me I don’t want to slap God in the face like that, but I do not have the physical or emotional strength to fight my body anymore. I don’t want to die but I don’t want to live in pain anymore. Is it okay? Can I let go? Can I stop seeing the doctors and let this new illness take me as my cancer should have at 25? I’m lost, alone and scared.

FATHER JOE: We do not have to do absolutely everything to preserve life, but you are young and where there is life, there is hope. I would suggest prayerfully associating your struggle with the passion of Christ. See the doctors and do what you can. I am sometimes afraid too. But know that you are not alone. The Lord is with you. I will pray for you. I would urge you not to give up.
Daniel, on January 13, 2015 at 10:12 am said:

Hi father joe. My everyday question about being a closeted gay kid is stressing. I love God so much, but what if i fall for a boy and love God at the same time. Is that ok? Im still a virgin and the reason why because im scared of judgement especially from God. Do u think it will be late for me if i were to lose my virginity. Will i go to hell? I just needed some guidance. My mom didnt want to support me. If praying is the only way to help, then i will greatly appreciat.

FATHER JOE: It may be that God is calling you to celibate love and life-long virginity. Despite the bias society where we find ourselves, you can be a happy, whole and integrated person and remain sexually inactive. Such purity is a beautiful gift given to the Lord and his community of faith.
Peter, on January 13, 2015 at 7:04 am said:

Hi, I’m a catholic and attend mass weekly but I also attend Hillsong as I like going there as well. Is this ok?

FATHER JOE: Do you go for the music? Cardinal Pell has rightly criticized Hillsong for preaching a “prosperity gospel.” Many mega-churches do such and they are personality driven. You need to know that the teachings of Protestant Pentecostalism conflict with Catholic truths. The ministers in charge have become wealthy through this ministry and they argue that such is a sign of God blessing them. I personally see this as a form of religious exploitation.
Diana Strauss, on January 13, 2015 at 12:10 am said:

Thank you for your answer. It was very clear and logical.
Diana Strauss, on January 12, 2015 at 2:11 pm said:

Why does Confession in the Catholic religion have to be done through a priest at all? Why can’t a person just confess straight to G-d and hope, that if he is sincere, G-d will forgive him?
Thank you – Diana Strauss

FATHER JOE:

It has to do with how Christ made his priests into ministers of reconciliation. While we can ask God for mercy, even while alone, there are significant graces in the sacrament of penance. Confession is an acknowledgment that we do not come to the Lord alone. The priest absolves us precisely as members of the Church body. We need to be healed as such. Our sins hurt us and all our associations, especially the unity in the Church. All sin hurts the community of faith. The priest signifies Christ and the believing community, he represents the Church. He heals us as a member of this Church.

I am also reminded of a medical analogy. You might take an over-the-counter drug and struggle to get past an illness. You might also go to a doctor and get a shot so that the sickness might be healed all the faster. Indeed, sometimes the sickness requires a doctor. You have to treat more than symptoms. The priest is a physician of souls.
Victor, on January 12, 2015 at 11:43 am said:

Hi,
Is it considered lieing if when someone asks you, you don’t remember when something happened so you
Said no but something did happen.

Thanks!

FATHER JOE: Lying means purposeful deception. It signifies a turning away from the truth. There is no culpability for misstatements that arise from ignorance or poor memory.
Lucy, on January 11, 2015 at 10:49 am said:

Also can a priest say someone is going to hell thats why he would not do a funeral service for him is that right? Im sorry for weird questions but its been bothering me alot when a priest said that at a service

FATHER JOE: I cannot imagine any priest saying that someone for sure was going to hell. There was a traditional prohibition about causing scandal with funerals. At one time those committing suicide might not be buried in consecrated ground. Large public funerals for gangsters were often restricted. If someone were an atheist or enemy of the Church, a public funeral might be denied; although much can be done in private, especially to console the family. The Church always prays for the dead. We try to avoid presumption about these matters.
Lucy, on January 11, 2015 at 10:46 am said:

I have a question i want to know why god does not intervene when someone is doing something wrong, stop them put something in there head and not let them.

Why does god let us do drugs

How can i get closer with god i pray and i feel like im not praying right.
Please answer if you can thankyou

FATHER JOE: God wants disciples not mindless robots. He gives us freedom. As for praying, we should both pray as individuals and as a faith community. We need to know traditional prayers and have the habit of just talking with God. The prayer forms are also invaluable: praise, thanks, petition, and contrition.
B, on January 11, 2015 at 1:15 am said:

Father Joe,

What is the Church’s teaching when it comes to jokes about the Church and/or Jesus? Are jokes involving the Church and/or Jesus considered blasphemy? Would someone who tells jokes of this nature be considered in a state of sin? Would they be required to go to Confession?

Thank you.

FATHER JOE: It would depend upon the joke… it may be harmless or it may disparage holy persons. It is like priest and rabbi jokes at a bar… some are funny and well-intentioned, others should not be told.
Erika, on January 10, 2015 at 10:43 pm said:

I went to a silent Catholic retreat a number of years ago, the priest there described a type of confession a person can make alone, only when in immediate danger of death, and on the condition the person must go and confess to a priest immediately if they live. Could you tell me the name of this, and what the proper prayer is to say? (I work often overseas, and have had a number of very close calls, without access to a priest until afterwards). Thank-you father.

FATHER JOE: It is not a form of Confession. We are merely acknowledging that God’s mercy does not demand the impossible. If we are truly unable to go to the sacrament, we can make a firm act of contrition with the intention to seek out priestly absolution and the graces of Confession later when it becomes possible. Our Lord responds to a contrite heart with the forgiveness of sins.
Jenn, on January 10, 2015 at 8:56 pm said:

Father,
I would like to take a writing class, but it is 3 hours on a Sunday afternoon. I have really tried my best to make Sunday a day of rest and do not, for example, go to shops or do my grocery shopping on Sunday. Is it contrary to the 3rd Commandment to take this class? I consider writing a leisure activity for myself and I would still have plenty of time for Mass, but I still feel uncomfortable, as taking the class would mean requiring someone to work on a Sunday.

I appreciate your help!

FATHER JOE: You have to weigh how much you need the class. Hopefully people who work on Sundays have some other day for rest. The gravity is being able to worship God and spend quality time with family. The issue of our complicity is the same when we go to a restaurant, store or movie on Sunday. Our society is very different from what I knew as a boy when everything was closed.
Joe, on January 10, 2015 at 7:43 pm said:

Father Joe
My Spouse and I have been together a few years. She suffers from a chronic illness, which primarily informed our marriage for insurance purposes in addition to our love. This was in the years just prior to universal healthcare. In the years since she’s has come closer to her faith as a way to cope with her illness,she was raised in the church. I know a great regret is not having proper church ceremony I know it’s a long shot but would it be possible for her to have one ? It would be mean so much to her.

FATHER JOE: It is called a convalidation. Contact your local Catholic priest. As long as there are no impediments, you can get married in the Church.
joan, on January 9, 2015 at 7:50 am said:

Dear Father Joe,
My husband watches “R” rated movies at home while my children are present. I am constantly turning the volume down or sending my daughters to their room to protect them from foul language and sexual content. I have asked my husband not to watch those shows until my daughters are sleeping, but he does not have the patience to wait. He gets so angry with me. He is a very active Knight and very close with our pastor. I don’t know how he cannot see that a father should not expose his children to such filth. What should I do or say to him?
Thanks,
Joan

FATHER JOE: It sounds to me that he needs a Man Cave or place where he can watch RAMBO or DIE HARD or even the PASSION OF THE CHRIST without the violence, language or adult situations traumatizing young children. (I would be more critical or negative against erotic and/or blasphemous films.) The family rooms should be reserved to family entertainment… even if it means that every other movie has a cute talking puppy or pink ponies in it. Oh my stomach churns!
Ruth, on January 8, 2015 at 5:02 pm said:

Father, why is it that priests and bishops oppose prophecies made by lay people? Is it because of the fright and shock involved? Or is it because lay people are not ordained? But didn’t Jesus choose ordinary fishermen as his apostles? Then why the blunt rejection?

FATHER JOE: It is usually because either stupid or heretical things are said that conflict with faith or the good order of the Catholic Church. Both Bernadette and Lucia were of the laity but later took the veil as evidence for their apparitions. Those that live secular lives or even scandalous ones can hardly be regarded as trustworthy prophets. There are even some who have made their so-called apparitions or inner locutions into a business. The Church is hierarchical and must be careful that questionable private revelation does not displace certain public revelation. Public revelation ended with the death of the apostle, John.
Najma, on January 7, 2015 at 1:26 pm said:

Hi
I’m very interested in religions. I was looking into the religion Christianity and have a few questions to ask.

Basically Christianity teaches that jesus died for our sins and if you love him and believe that he is god( or son of God…not really sure) your sins would be forgiven and you will go to heaven.

My question is that what about the people before jesus. How were they forgiven?? Or Did they all go to he’ll???. Second question is in the bible jesus demonstrates human characteristics I.e at certain places jesus feels weak (at the cross), he get angry and hungry etc… These are qualities of man not god. God is powerful, he is self sufficient, he doesn’t need to eat, drink or sleep like we do. Third question is where did the trinity thing come from?? It’s only found one place in the bible and when I researched this verse it was scraped out and doesn’t belong in the bible??

Fourth question: why do Christians celebrate Christmas. ..it’s a pagans holiday and jesus wasn’t even born on the 25th of December.

I have many more confusions about Christianity and increase every time the priest at Sunday school teaches stuff that isn’t in the bible???

I would appreciate if you cleared up these confusions

Thank you

FATHER JOE:

The Catholic Church was directly instituted by Christ. Catholicism teaches that Jesus is Savior and Lord, and that there is no other way to the Father. Faith in Christ is understood in terms of obedience and charity. We live in the hope that we will die in a state of grace and merit a place in heaven with the Lord and the saints. Before the coming of Christ, the righteous dead awaited the promised Messiah in an abode of the dead that is sometimes called the limbo of the fathers. It no longer exists. Those who had broken their friendship with God through serious personal (mortal) sin would suffer hell. Friends of Christ who still struggle with venial sin and temporal punishment due to sin will pass through purgatory as they approach heaven. Jesus is God because ONLY God can save you or forgive sins. Priests can only forgive sins because Jesus has configured them to himself and given them this authority for the salvation of souls.

Jesus is a divine Person but because of the incarnation he takes to himself a human body and a human soul. Sin came into the world through the fault of Adam, Christ as the new Adam redeems us from the devil and repairs the damage from sin. He does so as one of us. God became a man so that men by grace might share his divinity.

The word TRINITY never appears in the Bible. Rather, it is a short-hand term that gives expression to Christ’s description of the Trinity in Baptism: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is the central revelation of Christianity.

Catholic Christianity made the day its own by celebrating the birth of Christ on December 25. We do not know the exact day. It is no longer a pagan holiday, although commercialism seeks again to make it so.

There are many things in the Bible that may elude you. But Catholic Christianity targets two fonts of revelation: Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture. The Church was preaching the Gospel centuries before there was an official New Testament.

God bless!
Piers, on January 6, 2015 at 11:15 am said:

Father,
I have several philosophical questions that I would like answers to: could you recommend a good Catholic philosopher who would be willing to exchange a few e-mails with me?
Thanks,
Piers

FATHER JOE:

The two men I knew personally have died. Your best bet might be to contact someone at the Catholic University of America or the adjacent Dominican House of Studies. Here is a link for the latter:

http://www.dhs.edu/
Matthew, on January 6, 2015 at 7:45 am said:

I went to a Christian festival at Mississippi college and I accepted Christ later that day we went to eat in my change I got a penny but ingrave by lazer was a cross straight through leaving a cross shaped hole is that a physical sign from The Lord Jesus?

FATHER JOE: The Cross is a sign of Jesus… someone put the coin through a machine that cuts pennies.